Songwriting

Strategies for Musical Self-Expression and Creativity

A musical composer, guitar rocker, and lyric opera singer team up to write this sensational book on songwriting. This book includes everything you want to know about the core competencies of songwriting, elements of music, and lyrics. Features include writing song lyrics, crafting musical compositions, musical styles, getting a contract, sustaining a career, publishers and agents, recording, and even how to survive in the music industry. No matter what music genre you desire---blues, country, hip hop, gospel, punk, classical, alternative, jingles, or rock---this is the book for you. You will find this fascinating book filled with tips, quotes from famous songwriters and musicians, and numerous stories on songwriting that will keep you fully engaged. « lessmore »

Christian V. Hauser is Associate Professor of Music at Concordia University Chicago. When living in Nashville he received numerous album credits as a songwriter, producer, and recording engineer. He is certified in Kodaly and Orff and has written many orchestral and ballet compositions which have been performed by the Houston, Colorado Music Festival, Sioux City and Nashville Symphony Orchestras.

Daniel R. Tomal is Distinguished Professor of Leadership at Concordia University Chicago and award-winning author. He has published 20 books and numerous articles. He is a former high school guitar instructor, written many original songs, has produced and audio-engineered recordings, played in several rock and roll bands, and made numerous national television appearances.

Rekha S. Rajan is a Visiting Associate Professor at Concordia University Chicago. She is a former professional musical theater and operatic performer, has sung in over 30 languages and plays the piano and mridangam. She is the author of several books on musical theater and arts education and is the recipient of numerous grants, including a two-year research grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Foreword PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Introduction to SongwritingChapter 2: Core Competencies of Songwriters Chapter 3: Elements of Music-RhythmChapter 4: Pitch and HarmonyChapter 5: Form, Timbre, and ExpressionChapter 6: Writing LyricsChapter 7: Building Sustainability in the Music IndustryChapter 8: The Business of SongwritingEpilogue: Tips on Songwriting from SongwritersAppendix A: Permissions and Copyrights Appendix B: Music Standards are all about Music LiteracyAppendix C: Songwriter Survey Appendix D: Resources for Music EducatorsIndexAbout the Authors

The authors provide an excellent and comprehensive book on songwriting and I recommend this book. It is a valuable resource for all students interested in becoming songwriters.— Jim Peterik, songwriter, author, "Eye of the Tiger" and "Songwriting for Dummies"

The authors provide a nice blend of scholarly research and practical strategies on songwriting. I encourage anyone to read this book who is interested in understanding and pursuing a career or personal avocation in songwriting. — BJ Thomas, Five-time Grammy award Singer-Songwriter

An essential resource for secondary-school music theory and composition classes or individual students interested in independent songwriting experiences.— Jody L. Kerchner, Professor of Music Education, Oberlin Conservatory of Music

This book ably guides those wanting to learn about the songwriting process, as well as teachers who are interested in reinvigorating their music programs with a new course or unit in songwriting.— Carlos R. Abril, Professor of Music, Frost School of Music, University of Miami

Songwriting

Strategies for Musical Self-Expression and Creativity

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Summary

A musical composer, guitar rocker, and lyric opera singer team up to write this sensational book on songwriting. This book includes everything you want to know about the core competencies of songwriting, elements of music, and lyrics. Features include writing song lyrics, crafting musical compositions, musical styles, getting a contract, sustaining a career, publishers and agents, recording, and even how to survive in the music industry. No matter what music genre you desire---blues, country, hip hop, gospel, punk, classical, alternative, jingles, or rock---this is the book for you. You will find this fascinating book filled with tips, quotes from famous songwriters and musicians, and numerous stories on songwriting that will keep you fully engaged.

Christian V. Hauser is Associate Professor of Music at Concordia University Chicago. When living in Nashville he received numerous album credits as a songwriter, producer, and recording engineer. He is certified in Kodaly and Orff and has written many orchestral and ballet compositions which have been performed by the Houston, Colorado Music Festival, Sioux City and Nashville Symphony Orchestras.

Daniel R. Tomal is Distinguished Professor of Leadership at Concordia University Chicago and award-winning author. He has published 20 books and numerous articles. He is a former high school guitar instructor, written many original songs, has produced and audio-engineered recordings, played in several rock and roll bands, and made numerous national television appearances.

Rekha S. Rajan is a Visiting Associate Professor at Concordia University Chicago. She is a former professional musical theater and operatic performer, has sung in over 30 languages and plays the piano and mridangam. She is the author of several books on musical theater and arts education and is the recipient of numerous grants, including a two-year research grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Foreword PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Introduction to SongwritingChapter 2: Core Competencies of Songwriters Chapter 3: Elements of Music-RhythmChapter 4: Pitch and HarmonyChapter 5: Form, Timbre, and ExpressionChapter 6: Writing LyricsChapter 7: Building Sustainability in the Music IndustryChapter 8: The Business of SongwritingEpilogue: Tips on Songwriting from SongwritersAppendix A: Permissions and Copyrights Appendix B: Music Standards are all about Music LiteracyAppendix C: Songwriter Survey Appendix D: Resources for Music EducatorsIndexAbout the Authors

Reviews

Reviews

The authors provide an excellent and comprehensive book on songwriting and I recommend this book. It is a valuable resource for all students interested in becoming songwriters.— Jim Peterik, songwriter, author, "Eye of the Tiger" and "Songwriting for Dummies"

The authors provide a nice blend of scholarly research and practical strategies on songwriting. I encourage anyone to read this book who is interested in understanding and pursuing a career or personal avocation in songwriting. — BJ Thomas, Five-time Grammy award Singer-Songwriter

An essential resource for secondary-school music theory and composition classes or individual students interested in independent songwriting experiences.— Jody L. Kerchner, Professor of Music Education, Oberlin Conservatory of Music

This book ably guides those wanting to learn about the songwriting process, as well as teachers who are interested in reinvigorating their music programs with a new course or unit in songwriting.— Carlos R. Abril, Professor of Music, Frost School of Music, University of Miami